Hello, my ‘Walking with Jesus’ friends on this, the first day of September.
For many people this is the final week of summer. I wonder how you would characterize this past summer in your life journey? Do you agree that summer is often a time of pursuing one’s passions? That’s one reason more vacations and weddings take place in summer than any other time!!
Even though he was a single man, the apostle Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to speak and write a great deal about marriage, did you know that? Let’s rejoin Paul in the 7th chapter of his first letter to the Christians in the wild city of Corinth, Greece.
As we saw yesterday, Paul had some strong words of purity challenge for the married Christians in decadent Corinth. But then as now, not all adults were married, so Paul wrote these words next: “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: it is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But, if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than burn with passion.” (1 Cor. 7:8,9)
I like the fact that the Bible engages real life head on, without pretense or ignorance. Lustful passion is a major emotion for adults, especially adults who have known the joy and fulfillment of romantic relationships. When those wonderful relationships end, for whatever reason, heartbreak often results. Many broken hearted people are fearful of risking another relationship, yet they long for what they had. Do you know anyone who feels like that?
God understands! One of the most powerful statements made by God in the Bible about this is found in Genesis 2:18 “The LORD God said: ‘It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a suitable helper for him.” And the subsequent verses describe God’s masterful creation of the first woman, Eve, and the joyful relationship Adam and Eve enjoyed as evidence of God’s design for humanity and marriage. (Gen. 2:21-25)
But have you noticed that in many parts of our world in 2026 there is growing anxiety, even fear, about marriage, especially among the younger generations. Why? Because many of these young adults grew up in dysfunctional families and suffered greatly as their parents walked away from each other in separation or divorce. That woundedness is a huge barrier for millions of young adults passionate for love and companionship, but fearful of a marriage commitment. Do you know anyone like that?
Paul challenges the unmarried millions to take a serious look at God’s design for love and companionship. I wonder how you would describe God’s design for marriage, as you understand it? Mutually respectful marriage which honors God, is a marriage in which both spouses SERVE each other as a flow of God’s love blessing to each other! Do you know any marriages like that? If so, do you see God’s glory and joy in that marriage? Paul says don’t be afraid, God has designed marriage to be wonderful, as long as you follow God’s guidance!
And then, in the next verses Paul was led, by the Holy Spirit, to address one of the greatest travesties in every society in our world… marital breakup, divorce. Paul writes: “To the married I give this command (not I but the Lord): A wife must NOT separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.” (1 Corinthians 7:10,11) Of course millions of married couples have searched these two verses looking for loopholes or exceptions which give them an escape from their painful marriage.
Do you know anyone looking to get out of their marriage? God’s design and desire for marriage is a lifelong, mutually blessing journey, with Jesus Christ at the center of the marriage, and each person in that marriage filled with and led by the Holy Spirit…till death separates them! Have you had the privilege of watching a wonderful marriage function like that?
Sadly our world is filled with marriages which began with one or both persons having no interest in or relationship with Jesus Christ, and therefore from the beginning they had no intention of building a God honoring marriage! That’s why the Holy Spirit led Paul to write these next words: “If any brother has a wife who is NOT a believer in Jesus and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer in Jesus and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.” (1 Cor. 7:12,13)
The message is clear isn’t it? One of the spouses NOT believing in Jesus is not a ticket OUT of the marriage, but rather is an opportunity for the Christian in the marriage to honor God so consistently it draws the other spouse to desire Jesus! But it doesn’t always work that way, does it? So Paul wrote: “But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know whether or not you will save your unbelieving spouse?” (1 Cor. 7:15,16)
Do you hear marital abandonment here? Do you see Paul saying the married person abandoned by their spouse is not bound to stay married when abandoned? But do you also see Paul challenging the Christ following spouse to stay in the marriage if at all possible, so they might draw their unbelieving spouse to Jesus?
Finally, do you notice that little phrase: “God has called us to live in peace.” God’s design for marriage is that it would be the safest, most enjoyable, most honorable, most peaceful and helpful relationship anyone is involved with. Do you believe that is possible? When both husband and wife are determined to honor Jesus with every attitude, word and choice, that utopia marriage is possible and wonderful! I have experienced it, my friends!
For more great study on this topic the ‘lessons learned’ notes are at the link just below and a wonderful worship song will draw you to Jesus, and I’ll be here, waiting for you, tomorrow.
Today’s Scripture: 1 Cor. 7:8-16
Choose below to read or listen.
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Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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